THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT APPROACH: ENABLING THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER STAFF IN BANGKOK TO DEVELOP ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Authors

  • Piyanuch Thongtua, Chalong Tubsree and Thong-in Wongsothorn HRD

Keywords:

career development, English communication skill of Marine department pier staff in Bangkok, Improve English in communication

Abstract

The objectives of this research and development study were to 1) Study the communication related problems of pier staff who serve foreign tourists using public passenger boats in Bangkok, 2) develop tools to improve the English communication skills of the pier staff, 3) evaluate the developed processes and tools for developing the staffs’ English communication skill, 4) propose guideline on career development to the pier staff. The researcher employed mixed methods research. The research and development consisted of 5 stages: Analysis stage, Design stage, Development stage, Implementation stage, and Evaluation stage. The analysis stage employed a qualitative research method to analyze the communication related problem of the pier staff when they provide service to the foreigners. Qualitative research was also used for developing tools for improving the English communication skill of the pier staff as well as proposing a guideline for developing the career development for the pier staff. A quantitative research method was used for evaluating the developed process and tools for developing the pier staff communication skill.

The sample used to study the problem was 46 staff, the population for the implementation of the developed tools was 60 pier staff. The participants who provided information for the qualitative research part were 8 foreigners who used the pier service in the past. The tools used for the quantitative data collection were questionnaires and an English skill test. The statistics used to analyze the quantitative data generated percentage, mean and standard deviations. The tool for collecting qualitative data was an In-depth interview. The qualitative data analysis was conducted by summarizing important points.

The results of this research were that: 1) 70.50% of the pier staff needed to develop their English communication skills, 67.40% thought the use of a mini-book would help.        2) The process of improving English language skills through self-learning with a mini book and e-learning classes was also appealing. 3) The result after using the developed tools increased English skills by 60.10%. 4) Career development guidelines were: To organize English and Chinese language training courses every 6 months.

Author Biography

Piyanuch Thongtua, Chalong Tubsree and Thong-in Wongsothorn, HRD

The objectives of this research and development study were to: 1) Study the communication related problems of pier staff who serve foreign tourists using public passenger boats in Bangkok. 2) Develop tools to improve the English communication skills of the pier staff. 3) Evaluate the developed processes and tools for developing the staffs’ English communication skill. 4) Propose guideline on career development to the pier staff. The researcher employed a mixed methods research. The research and development consisted of 5 stages: Analysis stage, Design stage, Development stage, Implementation stage, and Evaluation stage. The analysis stage employed a qualitative research method to analyze the communication related problem of the pier staff when they provide service to the foreigners. A qualitative research was also used for developing tools for improving the English communication skill of the pier staff as well as proposing a guideline for developing the career development for the pier staff. A quantitative research method was used for evaluating the developed process and tools for developing the pier staff communication skill.

The population used to study the problem were 46 staff, the population for the implementation of the developed tools were 60 pier staff. The participants who provided information for the qualitative research part were 8 foreigners who used the pier service in the past. The tools used for the quantitative data collection were questionnaires and an English skill test. The statistics used to analyze the quantitative data which generated percentage, mean and standard deviations. The tool for collecting qualitative data was an In-depth interview. The qualitative data analysis was conducted through summarizing important points.

The results of this research were that: 1) 70.50% of the pier staff needed to develop their English communication skills, 67.40% thought the use of a mini book would help. 2) The process of improving English language skills through self-learning with a mini book and e-learning classes was also appealing. 3) The result after using the developed tools increased English skills by 60.10%. 4) Career development guidelines were: To organize English and Chinese language training courses every 6 months.

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Published

2021-12-30

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Research Articles